Southern

Talking Tennis Southern Style podcast

Ron Cioffi | November 19, 2024

L.E.A.D serves Black youth in tennis and baseball

Kelli and Mackenzi Stewart describe their Atlanta-based nonprofit’s mission

L.E.A.D. is an Atlanta-based nonprofit whose mission is to use baseball and tennis to teach Black youth how to overcome three curveballs that threaten their success: crime, poverty and racism. Kelli Stewart, wife of co-founder and former minor league baseball player C.J. Stewart, explains how the organization expanded into supporting tennis. Her daughter, Mackenzi, is a former Southern University and Georgia State player, explained how she decided to pick up a racquet and now leads its girls’ tennis programs. Listen to them describe their dedication to community service and focus on athletics, academics, civic engagement and commerce.

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Previous 2024 podcasts

Tuskegee coach Gregory Green on HBCU opportunities
In part 2, John Embree talks about his leadership at Wilson at the USPTA
in part 1, former USPTA CEO John Embree talks about his USTA League leadership
Open Tennis Fest in Tennessee ; INTENNSE - high-energy format
Mercer tennis player Cameron Douthit outlines donation program
Growing Tennis On Campus at UNC-Chapel Hill
TV personality Karen Graham co-founded company serving Deaf community
Jamie Hunt starts as third coach in Georgia’s men’s tennis
Louisville’s Mark Beckham on college coaching
USTA's Martin Blackman: covering the US Open
North Carolina tennis history
USTA Southern EVP Ted Reese runs Cary Tennis Classic
Raising funds for tennis programs and scholarships
USA players competing in the Paris Olympics
Patricia Jensen: Famed tennis matriarch and volunteer
Atlanta Open history: Tournament directors talk 2013-2024
Atlanta Open history: Tournament directors talk 2010-2012
John Isner on Atlanta Open; Martin Blackman on Wimbledon
Lake Norman expands on red ball tennis for adults
Tennis helps 15-year-old radio personality survive leukemia
America’s top junior: Georgia’s Al Parker
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Promoting tennis: USTA South Carolina’s advocacy success
USTA's Martin Blackman: covering Roland Garros
Bill Oakes on ATP pro tournaments
Florence, S.C., superstar Paul Pittman heads USTA Southern Advocacy Task Force
Auburn's Bobby Reynolds: from ATP to college
NTM: Louisville, Ky.'s Bob Willis
Cardio Tennis is a prime activity in National Tennis Month events in May.
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WHM: WTA player Arianne Hartono & coach Jason Ontog
WHM: Teaching - true passion for former UT coach Elizabeth Henderson
No-Cut Coach Starfish Award winner John Cox
WHM: Local League Coordinator of the Year Anna Martin
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Adult and Junior award winners: George "Ged" Schwing & Ryan Cozad
Black History Month: Calvin Kemp plus Paul Pittman on advocating for tennis courts
Australian Open preview, a Mexican star on her French Open, women’s tour success

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